Work Starts On First New Council Houses In Bungay For 40 Years

Work has started on the first new council houses to be built in Bungay since the 1970s, following a ceremony held today (Thursday 17th December).

Waveney District Council cabinet member for housing Sue Allen joined managing director of constructor Wellington Paul Pitcher and Orwell Housing Association new business manager Greg Doddsto cut the first sod on a site at Garden Close in the town, one of four former garage sites which are being redeveloped to provide 12 affordable homes.

Four two-bedroom houses are to be built at Garden Close, along with three two-bedroom houses at Princes Road, two two-bedroom houses at Manor Road, and three two-bedroom bungalows at Joyce Road. The new homes will be available for rent to those on WDC’s housing register.

The Bungay project is part of a wider Waveney District Council initiative to build over 100 new affordable homes across the district.

Cllr Sue Allen commented, “There is a huge need for more affordable homes in towns like Bungay, and now that councils are allowed to build new council housing, Waveney is being proactive in responding to opportunities to do so.

“We are well placed to do this, given that we have a team in place which is already delivering high quality housing management services. We are committed to delivering high quality and well-designed homes, which will be in addition to any new affordable homes which are being delivered by housing associations.”

Paul Pitcher, managing director of Lowestoft-based constructor Wellington, which has won the £1.1 million contract to build the new homes in Bungay, said, “We are delighted to be breaking the ground at this site and starting to build these 12 new homes in Bungay.

“Converting under-used garage sites into much-needed new affordable homes is a great way of maximising the land and resources available, and this is something we are undertaking in a number of locations across Norfolk and Suffolk. The result will be top-quality, energy-efficient affordable homes for local people.”

Greg Dodds, new business manager at Orwell Housing Association, which is working in partnership with the council to deliver the new homes, said, “This is a really good example of how working in partnership can deliver extra new affordable homes to meet local need.

“We are working with Waveney to deliver new homes right across the district, and it is very pleasing to get the spade in the ground here in Bungay”